Music Business Worldwide News

1. Matt Ellis appointed Chief Financial Officer of Universal Music Group

   Most recently, Ellis served as Executive Vice President and CFO at Verizon Communications

   Source

2. Elton John, Paul McCartney among artists urging UK government to ‘protect copyright in the age of AI’

   Letter to UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer comes as the House of Lords prepares to vote on a contentious data bill

   Source

3. SoundCloud addresses AI clause in terms of service, says it ‘has never used artist content to train AI models’

   Fairly Trained founder Ed Newton-Rex spotted the update, which went largely unnoticed since it was rolled out in February 2024

   Source

4. Concord acquires Broadway Licensing Global, expanding theater footprint

   The deal folds BLG’s imprints — Broadway Licensing, Dramatists Play Service, Playscripts, and Stage Rights — into Concord Theatricals

   Source

5. Donald Trump fires top US copyright official – sending concerning message over music and AI

   Timing of Shira Perlmutter's dismissal, following a report sympathetic to copyright owners on AI, will raise worries over Trump's closeness to Big Tech

   Source

6. Revelator hits 15 billion stream landmark, looks to double revenues in 2025

   Global independent platform on the charge and urges fellow indies to 'stay strong' through age of consolidation

   Source

7. From Create buying Monstercat to WMG earnings… it’s MBW’s Weekly Round-Up

   The biggest stories from the past week – all in one place…

   Source

8. Yamaha launches $50m fund to power music and media startups

   The fund is meant to cement Yamaha's “leadership position as an innovator in the fields of sound and music”

   Source

9. Robert Kyncl talks M&A strategy, A&R spend, AI regulation, and more on Warner Music’s latest earnings call

   Warner Music Group's CEO discussed the company's calendar Q1 results with analysts today (May 8)

   Source

10. Range Music launches composer division, with industry veteran Jeff Jernigan named as first hire

    Jeff Jernigan’s client roster includes composers Steven Price, Tom Howe, and Raffertie, among others

    Source